Get Used To Paying To Reserve A Seat At Sportsbooks On The Vegas Strip

If you’re planning to visit a Vegas Strip casino to place a bet and watch football games in the sportsbook, be prepared to pay for a seat. The idea of Las Vegas casinos requiring payment to secure seats in a sportsbook isn’t entirely novel.

Although there is no charge for sitting in every chair at all Vegas Strip casinos, it is increasingly difficult to find free seating in sportsbooks.

Every year, the availability of complimentary general admission seats decreases. The scarcity of these free seats becomes a more significant issue annually. Concurrently, prices are escalating, and an increasing number of casinos are starting to charge for the reservation of a sportsbook seat.

The trend of sportsbooks charging reservation fees began with Vegas Strip casinos reserving seats for major events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness.

Almost every casino on the Vegas Strip now charges a fee for reserving seats on any day there’s a football game. With football season upon us, it’s time to start planning for the ultimate Las Vegas sportsbook experience.

Sportsbook seat reservation prices and policies

Reserved seating at sportsbooks varies among casino operators. At times, a reserved seat simply guarantees a spot to watch the games. However, some reserved seats include food and/or beverages in the package. In some cases, the cost of a seat is determined by a minimum spend on any food or beverages purchased within the sportsbook.

The cost to reserve a seat in a sportsbook can also be influenced by supply and demand. As such, prices might vary depending on the specific games being broadcasted on TV. Adding to the complexity, prices and policies could differ even within the same casino company. Casino operators such as MGM Resorts and Caesars offer varying sportsbook options in each of their Vegas Strip casinos.

Lastly, the prices may vary depending on the day and any football games being televised. It’s important for guests to ensure they reserve the correct time slot. Some seating reservations may be for the full day.

Reservations at the sportsbook may be limited to specific segments of games. For instance, one could book for only the 10 am or 1 pm games, rather than both.

That being said, here are some instances of sportsbook seat reservation policies on the Vegas Strip from the day this article was penned.

Caesars Entertainment

The price range at Caesars Palace for NFL Sunday seating varies from $161.87 for a single front-row seat, inclusive of three beers, to $1,998.15 for a three-person couch, which includes unlimited drinks. However, different Caesars casinos in Las Vegas have varying prices. For detailed information, refer to the respective websites.

Cosmopolitan

All seats must be reserved and come with a fee of either $400 or $600 for two, with a 20% tip included in the bill. You can make reservations on our website.

MGM Resorts

The Mirage sportsbook provides complimentary general admission seating, but availability is limited. Seats and couches can be reserved for a fee, which will be applied towards a minimum spend on food and beverages. For specific availability, please contact each MGM Resorts casino.

Wynn Las Vegas

Seating in the general admission area is free of charge. However, reserving Luxury Box seats and couches comes with a fee. Reservations can be made in person or over the phone during the opening hours of Charlie’s Bar and Grill.

You may also need to make a reservation for bars and restaurants on the Vegas Strip outside of the sportsbooks. As with sportsbooks, the rules can vary, even within the same casino. Be sure to inquire about the minimum spend requirements and reservation durations.

Sportsbook reservations off the Vegas Strip

Most sportsbooks outside the Vegas Strip only provide free general admission seating. However, two of the largest and top-quality sportsbooks do offer reserved seating.

The Westgate SuperBook provides free seating for individuals and VIP seating for groups. Meanwhile, Circa’s sportsbook offers a limited amount of general admission seats and reserved seats for both individuals and groups.

Sports enthusiasts and bettors have the option to view the games in the open air at Circa’s rooftop Stadium Swim pool deck. Entry to Stadium Swim incurs a fee. Daybeds and cabanas are also available for reservation.

The trend of charging for sportsbook seats is not anticipated to spread to all off-strip casinos. The Westgate and Circa provide unmatched sportsbooks, incomparable to anywhere else in Las Vegas or across the country.

Why are there sportsbook reservation fees?

Sportsbooks in Las Vegas weren’t always seen as sources of revenue. Originally, they served as an amenity to keep visitors within the casinos. Frequently, these sportsbooks were the go-to spots for gamblers seeking a respite from table games such as blackjack.

Over 20 years ago, gambling was the primary source of income for Las Vegas. However, significant changes occurred in the casino industry after 1999, as non-gaming revenue surpassed gambling proceeds for the first time. Presently, it is anticipated that non-gaming income will constitute between 60% and 70% of the revenue for casinos on the Vegas Strip.

Casino operators began exploring alternative methods of revenue generation that were not strictly tied to gambling. Sportsbooks in Las Vegas, which yield low profit margins for these operators, are an example. The UNLV Center for Gaming Research reports that sports betting brings in approximately a 6% win.

For the past twenty years, operators of casinos on the Vegas Strip have been exploring strategies to boost the revenue from retail sportsbooks located within their establishments.

Vegas Strip sportsbooks begin charging reservation fees

Several sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip underwent renovations and remodeling to boost food and beverage sales. Not every sportsbook on the Strip has a unique layout, with some featuring identical arrangements. Regardless of their layout, majority of the sportsbooks on the Strip require at least some guests to pay for seat reservations during peak days.

Casinos operate with the primary goal of generating profit. Usually, if an establishment within the casino fails to produce income, it will be substituted with one that does. About ten years ago, the size of sportsbooks was diminishing, however, this is no longer the situation.

With the expansion of sports betting nationwide, these venues have become valuable real estate. Retail sportsbooks housed in these venues can generate significant revenue for casinos. Additionally, they can serve as advertising platforms for national sportsbook brands such as BetMGM or Caesars Sports.

Simply put, if customers didn’t agree to pay the fees, the casinos wouldn’t impose them. That’s the ultimate truth, and it’s not because Stone Cold declared it.

Despite sports betting being available in half the country, the experience in Las Vegas sportsbook is incomparable.

Why are people paying to reserve sportsbook seats?

Not everyone is willing to pay for a seat reservation at a sportsbook. Nonetheless, there are several reasons why some individuals choose to pay for a guaranteed seat at Las Vegas sportsbooks.

Convenience

By reserving a seat, a guest can ensure they have a spot at the sportsbook whenever they arrive. Although general admission seats are typically free, they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if a person desires one of these complimentary seats, their best bet is to get to the sportsbook at least an hour before the game starts.

Plenty of Las Vegas visitors prefer to spend their time eating, sleeping, or gambling rather than waiting in a sportsbook for an hour or more for games to start.

Complimentary open seating options still exist on the Vegas Strip, and numerous off-strip properties provide the same.

Fear of missing out

The phenomenon known as Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is genuinely felt, particularly in Las Vegas. Reserving a spot in a Las Vegas sportsbook guarantees visitors a place to enjoy the games. This ensures they won’t miss any of the thrilling highs and crushing lows that make up the Las Vegas Sportsbook experience.

The shared experiences within a Las Vegas sportsbook are incomparable to viewing the games at any other place. The dynamic energy between bettors, fantasy players, and fans within these sportsbooks is unique and cannot be duplicated at a neighborhood sports bar.

Although some people might not pay to watch games at home, the fear of missing out on the Las Vegas sportsbook experience justifies the expense for certain visitors.

Location, location, location

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that almost 75% of the 2019 visitors to Las Vegas lodged at a hotel on the Vegas Strip. Most casino-goers tend to play in the vicinity of their accommodations.

Indeed, complimentary sportsbook seats can be found in casinos across Las Vegas. However, most visitors do not prefer to spend their time traveling to these casinos. This travel time could be better utilized exploring the various attractions of Las Vegas. For visitors who are in town for only two or three days, venturing off the strip generally isn’t part of their plans.

As a positive, this leaves free general admission seats available for those willing to travel.

VEGAS, BABY!

Welcome to Vegas, Baby! Las Vegas stands as an exceptional holiday spot due to its unique “Only In Vegas” experiences on offer. The top-notch sportsbooks in Las Vegas provide sports enthusiasts with experiences not found elsewhere.

Special moments can occur at any time during a game in a Las Vegas sportsbook. Some individuals are even prepared to pay to secure a seat to ensure they don’t miss out. Refer to the above section on FOMO for more information.

Furthermore, visitors to Las Vegas aim to create unique experiences. Some groups of gamblers may pool their resources to reserve a couch or VIP booth in a sportsbook. Casino proprietors are consistently working on ways to provide sports bettors with opportunities to create their own distinctive “Only In Vegas” experiences.